The end of Superauctions?

[ITO]

Just noticed on their site they posted that the company is now closed for complete restructuring. Had a feeling something was going on as I had been hearing people were not getting paid and they hadn't put up a new auction schedule yet. Another bites the dust. Guess there is always EBAY. Soon that will be our only option. Wasn't really a fan of Superauctions, but just sucks to see another auction company pull the plug.

 

[VectorJunkie]

Just noticed on their site they posted that the company is now closed for complete restructuring. Had a feeling something was going on as I had been hearing people were not getting paid and they hadn't put up a new auction schedule yet. Another bites the dust. Guess there is always EBAY. Soon that will be our only option. Wasn't really a fan of Superauctions, but just sucks to see another auction company pull the plug.

This is a couple of the Superauctions folks.

http://www.americanamusementauctions.com/

They left in all of the turmoil. The first auction is in Dallas area.

 

[eXidy]

...

I heard that its over for them.

The last auction, all the checks they gave out bounced and their site is down.

jon

 

[demogo]

As in the people that sold stuff at the auction never got paid for their games?

 

[eXidy]

...

yes, exactly.

jon

 

[Scott C]

So what happened to Rob? Wasn't he the owner of the company (that and his wife)?

I'm glad I didn't attend that last auction since I was thinking of taking some games! Yikes. I would imagine they would have to declare bankrupsy (chapter 11 or 13) to get out of having to pay all of those folks, and I imagine the claims are building-up.

Scott C.

 

[Scott C]

This is a couple of the Superauctions folks.

http://www.americanamusementauctions.com/

They left in all of the turmoil. The first auction is in Dallas area.

Based on what happened to Super Auctions, I would be hesitant to deal with this company as well. I'm glad they are trying to carry on, but it still leaves a really big question. Perhaps folks should insist on being paid in cash when selling.

BTW, what turmoil? Did Rob over extend the company?

Scott C.

 

[VectorJunkie]

Based on what happened to Super Auctions, I would be hesitant to deal with this company as well. I'm glad they are trying to carry on, but it still leaves a really big question. PErhaps folks should insist on being paid in cash when selling.

BTW, what turmoil? Did Rob over extend the company?

Scott C.

There were reports of SA bouncing checks a good 6 months ago. So it seemed to only be getting worse for them. There is another thread on here that said they lost their auction license in Texas. Also there were a bunch of police at the last Dallas auction to stop it and arrest Rob if he showed up. They did the auction from what was posted, but they used someone elses license and a bunch of games were skipped since not everyone agreed to use the new person. So that is what I was referring to as turmoil.

 

[EVB]

I don't think bankruptcy excuses stealing.
A move like that could likely end in jail time for them on fraud charges.

So what happened to Rob? Wasn't he the owner of the company (that and his wife)?

I'm glad I didn't attend that last auction since I was thinking of taking some games! Yikes. I would imagine they would have to declare bankrupsy (chapter 11 or 13) to get out of having to pay all of those folks, and I imagine the claims are building-up.

Scott C.

 

[88mph]

I say good riddance. I've been to their auctions, and I wasn't impressed. There was plenty of shill bidding going on. Also, when two people would raise their card for the SAME price, the auctioneer would sometimes count that as two SEPARATE bids. Phantom bids from the back of the room were common. At one of the auctions in MA, they advertised a BUNCH of games that were not at the auction.

These guys are pretty much the vultures that pick the carcasses of dying arcades. Sure, there is a need for auction companies to do this when a business fails, but they don't have to be so sleazy about it.


I wonder if someone is going to auction off Super Auction's assets.

 

[ScumBum]

last SA I went to was like 5 years ago , it sucked . I think there was one beat up galaga and that was it for classic games . Everything else was pretty much 90's converted cabs .

 

[SuperGunGuru]

They haven't been to Michigan in a few years. The last one in Detroit was a complete waste as there was not much there. I think it's too bad because I did get some good deals from there.

 

[Magog]

As much as I would bitch about them and yes they were shady the last few Milwaukee auctions weren't great, I thought they were terrible. Then I had another auciton company to compare them to...

badgerauctions made superauctions look great. I think it is just the nature of the game, the whole nature or premise of the "auction barker" is designed to get people to bid when they otherwise wouldn't. If the other guys come to Milwaukee I'll go...I will say and I mean it I will never go to another badgerauctions auction...those guys are assholes cheats and fucking crooks through and through.

 

[mhkohne]

I say good riddance. I've been to their auctions, and I wasn't impressed. There was plenty of shill bidding going on. Also, when two people would raise their card for the SAME price, the auctioneer would sometimes count that as two SEPARATE bids. Phantom bids from the back of the room were common. At one of the auctions in MA, they advertised a BUNCH of games that were not at the auction.

These guys are pretty much the vultures that pick the carcasses of dying arcades. Sure, there is a need for auction companies to do this when a business fails, but they don't have to be so sleazy about it.


I wonder if someone is going to auction off Super Auction's assets.

One way or another, if there are outstanding debts that stuff has to get sold off. But think about it - they didn't actually HAVE very much, did they? A computer or two, credit card gear, perhaps a truck and some moving equipment - really it's not a lot of capital equipment needed to run that business.

On the other hand, if the cops really were looking for the guy, then I'd guess that laying hands on any of the company assets isn't going to be easy.

 

[sosage]

last SA I went to was like 5 years ago , it sucked . I think there was one beat up galaga and that was it for classic games . Everything else was pretty much 90's converted cabs .

I'd also like to say some words about the deceased:

The pickings were always hit n' miss. As long as you went in with expectations low, expecting at best a project of some kind, then you weren't going to be disappointed in the merchandise. The last San Jose one I went to was the big "10 cocktails for a buck" blow out which was...what...2005? I'd been going since 97 and had never seen it get that good for the buyers.

You had to always watch for the phantom bidders and play "the game", which I've mentioned a ton of times already. Just as shitty, however, was having to watch everyone else in the room. Especially if you won a machine or brought something to sell. More than one instance of cords being cut and parts being stolen. Some people in this hobby...I dunno.

It was bad, but it was the only one going in NorCal. I'll miss waking up, cleaning the truck out and driving to San Jose...then driving home with some ops garbage in the bed and my ears ringing from the bullhorn speaker.

 

[mhkohne]

I'd also like to say some words about the deceased:

The pickings were always hit n' miss. As long as you went in with expectations low, expecting at best a project of some kind, then you weren't going to be disappointed in the merchandise. The last San Jose one I went to was the big "10 cocktails for a buck" blow out which was...what...2005? I'd been going since 97 and had never seen it get that good for the buyers.

You had to always watch for the phantom bidders and play "the game", which I've mentioned a ton of times already. Just as shitty, however, was having to watch everyone else in the room. Especially if you won a machine or brought something to sell. More than one instance of cords being cut and parts being stolen. Some people in this hobby...I dunno.

It was bad, but it was the only one going in NorCal. I'll miss waking up, cleaning the truck out and driving to San Jose...then driving home with some ops garbage in the bed and my ears ringing from the bullhorn speaker.

I'll be someone else starts doing auctions in the area eventually. There's definitely a market for moving this kind of equipment, so you can expect someone to fill the need eventually.

 

[YellowDog]

I'll be someone else starts doing auctions in the area eventually. There's definitely a market for moving this kind of equipment, so you can expect someone to fill the need eventually.

Agreed. There are auctioneers that will step in to fill the void. They probably will not be as focussed on the arcade industry and you will have to sit through grandma's dining room sets or 12 different failed restaraunts, but as the action "reality shows" put it, if there is a buck to be made, there will be somebody there to make it.

ken

 

[yellowstitch]

I will say and I mean it I will never go to another badgerauctions auction...those guys are assholes cheats and fucking crooks through and through.

that fun world auction was a joke. badger auctions DEF is worse the SA. I will never deal with those guys again. but I really have to say I will miss SA, as much as the pissed me off and were jerks it was still a fun day

 

[toolguy]

I say good riddance. I've been to their auctions, and I wasn't impressed. There was plenty of shill bidding going on. Also, when two people would raise their card for the SAME price, the auctioneer would sometimes count that as two SEPARATE bids. Phantom bids from the back of the room were common. At one of the auctions in MA, they advertised a BUNCH of games that were not at the auction.

These guys are pretty much the vultures that pick the carcasses of dying arcades. Sure, there is a need for auction companies to do this when a business fails, but they don't have to be so sleazy about it.


I wonder if someone is going to auction off Super Auction's assets.

I feel exactly the same!

as a side note, sure there were great deals for sit down games, when the bidding was done correctly and you could get a sit down game for as little as $5. I've seen it at the Chicago Pin expo.

 

[rmackie6661]

Good Ridence, They Did the MOMA auction a couple years up here and it sucked and took forever. Grafe has been doing it again now and they're good people and at least have tolerable personalities.